Up Your Game, Education’s the Key, Before & During Retirement

While it may be time to stop earning, it’s not the time to stop learning.

Retirees can undermine their financial foundation by not seeking the education that can enable a long and enjoyable retirement. Many claim to be “too busy” with hobbies and activities, and don’t take the necessary action to optimize their resources. A pro-active and educated approach to tax management, legal documentation and “safe money” principles can greatly benefit retirees and their families. Watch the interview with retirement specialist Roger Sierens.

Education and skill building are often cited as enablers of a good job and career, one that produces income, savings and retirement-directed assets. Accordingly, it’s astounding that neglect can cause these same attributes to erode or stop during retirement, a time of life that doesn’t generally forgive errors of omission. Through ongoing education and preparation – much of which is easily accessible and sometimes even f-r-e-e of cost – retirees can enhance their financial health and relieve their families of potential burdens. Three relevant topics are tax management, legal documentation and the principles of “safe money.”

Retirees often find, and somewhat surprisingly, that taxes are typically the #1 expense in retirement. The initial and ongoing collision of multiple income sources and thresholds can create unexpected obligations that limit the retiree’s anticipated lifestyle or flexibility. The good news is that multiple remedies are available to address the damage and provide potential relief. These can include staging income over time and allocating funds to tax-favored products such as annuities or whole-life insurance. Retirees can easily find investment alternatives by seeking counsel from retirement specialists who conduct obligation-free seminars or workshops.

The mere mention of updated legal documents such as wills, trusts and medical directives can easily cause retirees to cringe. However, ongoing changes in their health and relationships necessitate adjustments to keep assets within family control and out of court-administered probate. Though documentation updates can cause worry or expense, it’s prudent to assertively take these measures.

Lifetime savers who’ve grown numb to market volatility and account fluctuations can benefit by learning and acting on “safe-money” allocations. Though centuries old, annuity products are unfamiliar to many retirees. Annuities can be the source of both growth and protection from loss in exchange for the risk exposure by the policy’s insurance company.

Just as many retirees found education to be a source of empowerment early in their lives and careers, the principles of lifetime learning can pay financial and peace-of-mind dividends during retirement.

Syndicated financial columnist Steve Savant interviews top retirement specialists in their field of expertise. In this segment we’re talking to retirement specialist Roger Sierens. Right in the Money is a financial talk show distributed in daily video press releases to over 280 media outlets and social media networks.

Right on the Money is a financial talk show comprised of an exclusive group of insurance and financial professionals from around the country who have a desire to inform consumers on financial-focused topics that could affect the way they plan for retirement.

This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. Please consult with a professional specializing in these areas regarding the applicability of this information to your situation. The presenters of this information are not associated with, or endorsed by, the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. MP-0364 – 2016/11/28